Education

signed · Arizona · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 2477: Arizona's education savings plan; revisions

HB 2477 updates definitions for Arizona's AZ529 education savings plan to align with federal tax rules. It clarifies that qualified expenses now include computer equipment, software, and apprenticeship program costs (registered under federal law) for beneficiaries. The bill also expands the definition of "member of the family" to include more relatives and specifies limits on education loan repayment withdrawals. This is a procedural revision to the plan's rules, not a new benefit or eligibility change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands qualified expenses to include computer equipment, software, and apprenticeships, enhancing education savings accessibility and relevance to modern educational needs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 1422: credit enhancement eligibility board; continuation

SB 1422 extends the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board, which helps Arizona public schools secure more favorable financing terms, until July 1, 2036. The bill sets a clear timeline for the board's termination and the eventual repeal of related statutes (Title 41, Chapter 56, Articles 10 and 11), requiring all program funding obligations and guaranteed financings to be settled by January 1, 2037, before repeal. If obligations remain unresolved, the statutes will be repealed 30 days after settlement. The bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2026, to maintain continuity in the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends board enabling Arizona schools to secure better financing terms, enhancing access to educational funding and program stability until 2037.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 4043: training; AEDs; CPR; school personnel

HB 4043 requires Arizona public schools serving grades 9-12 to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at all campuses and school-sponsored athletic events starting August 1, 2026. It also mandates that by August 1, 2027, each school must ensure at least one staff member completes annual training in CPR, first aid, and AED use. The bill specifies AEDs must be in unlocked, clearly marked, accessible locations that follow national emergency care guidelines and be maintained per manufacturer instructions. Schools may accept donations to fund AED purchases and maintenance, and the law defines "school-sponsored athletic event" to include practices, trainings, and competitions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs and staff CPR/AED training for school safety, enhancing K-12 infrastructure and student/staff protection within education environment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 4005: artificial intelligence; course; public schools

HB 4005 requires Arizona public school districts and charter schools to offer instruction on the ethical, moral, and educational uses of artificial intelligence starting in the 2027-2028 school year. This includes teaching basic AI prompt techniques and ethical considerations for using AI in learning and daily life, which schools can provide as a separate course or integrate into existing classes. Schools must annually report on their AI instruction and student enrollment to the state education department by October 15. The bill defines artificial intelligence broadly as machine systems making predictions or generating content in response to prompts. It aims to prepare students with foundational AI literacy skills for future education and careers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI ethics curriculum in K-12, enhancing student digital literacy and ethical AI use education through required instruction and reporting.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI ethics education in public schools, promoting responsible tech literacy and digital citizenship per bill's educational focus on ethical AI use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

vetoed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2611: group homes; safety; training; rights

HB 2611 amends Arizona law to define specific rights for children in foster care or kinship foster care placements. The bill lists 27 concrete rights, including access to education, medical care, privacy, safety, and participation in care planning meetings, with additional transition-focused rights for youth aged 14+ (e.g., career planning, help obtaining IDs). It requires child welfare agencies to provide written information about these rights to children upon placement and to post them in foster homes. The law also establishes complaint channels for children to report rights violations to the department or ombudsman. This directly affects all children in Arizona foster or kinship care placements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly lists 'access to education' as a right for foster care children, directly expanding educational access for vulnerable students.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly mandates 'access to medical care' as a right for foster children, directly protecting healthcare access for vulnerable youth through legal requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

vetoed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1572: public schools; civics instruction requirement

SB 1572 requires Arizona public schools to observe "Celebrate Freedom Week" annually, mandating specific civics instruction for all grades 1-12. It directs schools to teach the original intent of founding documents (Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution/Bill of Rights) and their historical context, including connections to U.S. history topics like immigration, the American Revolution, and the abolitionist movement. For grades 3-12, students must recite a designated passage from the Declaration of Independence unless they or their parent request an exemption (e.g., for religious objections, parental request, or diplomatic immunity). The bill prohibits schools from censoring religious references in these documents and gives the state board authority to implement rules. This affects all Arizona public school students and curriculum content.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates required civics curriculum including founding documents and historical context, enhancing student education in civics and curriculum standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · Arizona · Senate Jun 15, 2026

SCR 1032: educator salary increases; school reporting

SCR 1032 is a proposed referendum bill that would require Arizona school districts and charter schools to increase base salaries for eligible teachers if voters approve additional funding from the state land trust. It establishes a "teacher pay fund" using state land trust distributions to cover these salary increases, ensuring all eligible teachers receive the same amount regardless of experience. Schools must publicly post annual salary data on their websites and report to the state education department, with eligibility limited to full-time instructional staff who spend over 75% of their time teaching students. The bill does not take effect until approved by voters and requires ongoing reporting to ensure compliance with the salary increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses state land trust distributions to fund teacher salary increases, directing existing revenue toward essential education programs without new taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes state land trust-funded teacher pay increases, mandates salary transparency, and directly supports educator compensation through dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates salary increases for teachers using state land trust fund, directly advancing wage standards for educators in the labor sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4165: revenue; 2026-2027

HB 4165 updates Arizona's education funding distribution rules for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and establishes a fee system to modernize the state's tax collection technology. The bill directs specific amounts of state revenue to schools, universities, community colleges, and tribal colleges for purposes such as basic aid, technology research, workforce development, and school safety. Additionally, it requires local governments and regional transportation authorities to pay fees to the Department of Revenue to cover the costs of upgrading the integrated tax system. If local entities fail to pay these fees by the deadline, the state will withhold future revenue distributions until the debt is satisfied.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs state revenue to education and modernizes tax collection technology, strengthening fiscal management and funding essential programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs specific state revenue to schools and universities for basic aid, technology, and safety, indicating funding support.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funds for technology research and modernizes tax collection technology, indicating support for tech advancement.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4163: K-12 education; 2026-2027

HB 4163 updates the financial rules for specific charter schools in Arizona that are sponsored by state agencies, universities, or community colleges. The bill clarifies that school districts are not financially responsible for these schools and establishes new methods for calculating their funding based on student counts and enrollment data. It also prevents double-counting of students who are enrolled in both a charter school and a traditional public school by ensuring their total daily membership does not exceed one. Additionally, the legislation requires that if a charter school receives federal or state grants for basic operations, its state funding must be reduced by the same amount to avoid taxpayer duplication.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies funding rules and prevents double-counting of students, ensuring accurate financial allocation for K-12 education.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies funding rules and prevents double-counting of students, ensuring accurate financial allocation for charter schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4161: higher education; 2026-2027

This bill updates the administrative powers of the Arizona Board of Regents to govern the state's public universities for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It authorizes the board to set tuition and fees based on student residency and enrollment status, while establishing a separate fund for tuition revenue that cannot be used to support alumni associations. The legislation also mandates public hearings and roll call votes for any tuition increases, ensures guaranteed admission for veterans, and requires the board to submit annual budget requests that include projected tuition revenue.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates governance and mandates guaranteed admission for veterans, expanding access to higher education.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates guaranteed admission for veterans, directly strengthening their access to higher education.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education